Jesus Gives Better Rest

Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it... There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword... Knowing then that we have a great High Priest who passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession... Let us therefore come boldly before the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:1–16)

We love the sweetness of Scripture's assurances, but God calls us to chew on its hard warnings too — because a faith that ignores them grows flabby.

A Flabby Faith Lives on Dessert Alone

In my eight-plus years as a parent of four kids, I've discovered they love pizza. If I let them, they'd eat it every day — along with frozen yogurt piled high with toppings. As good parents, my wife and I try to sneak in some balance: vegetables, salad, broccoli. We even doctor up the broccoli with Parmesan — "stinky cheese," they call it — so they'll eat the healthy things.

Truth be told, I like pizza too. If you've never had Felipe's pizza down on Grand Avenue, and you can handle the dairy, do yourself a favor. Walk out, turn left, go a block and a half, turn on Calmia, and you'll find Esco Gelato. If I could, I might eat that all the time — but I keep reminding myself it's not a good idea. There are health ramifications to a diet of nothing but pizza and gelato.

The Gelato of Romans 8

What does this have to do with Hebrews 4? More than you might realize. I love pizza and gelato, and I love the spiritual pizza and gelato of Romans chapter 8. There are great things there, and we eat them up.

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

It only gets better from there — predestined, called, justified, glorified. If God is for us, who can be against us? Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus — not tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, peril, or the sword. That is savory salvation, sweet security, and we'd love to eat it every single day.

But I'm concerned that living only on such a diet might lead to imbalance — a flabby faith. That's why the author of Hebrews writes in chapter 5:

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God... For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5:12–14)

Warnings That Are Hard to Swallow

As we've gone through the first four chapters of Hebrews, you may have noticed this is a tough book. There are warnings that are hard to chew, difficult to swallow, and even harder to digest. They sting a bit. The Word of God is living and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword. There's the wonderful cutting edge of Romans 8's security — but there are heavy warnings that cause us pause and sometimes shake us.

Consider what Jesus said at the end of the Sermon on the Mount: many in the day of judgment will say, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and do many wonders in Your name?" And He will say, "Depart from Me, I never knew you, you who practice lawlessness." Even seasoned Christians read that and say, "Lord, I never want to hear You say that." These are heavy things. But like a good Father, God knows we need health in our Christian life. Yes, enjoy the sweetness of Romans 8 — but cut your teeth on the difficult doctrines too.

Therefore: A Warning Against Our Failure

We're in the middle of a warning section that began in chapter 3. We know it because Hebrews 4:1 starts with the word therefore — and every time you find that word, you must ask what it's there for. It points us back. The author, whom I believe to be Timothy, loves this transitional word, using it 28 times in 13 chapters.

So jump back to Hebrews 3:16–19. The author is talking about the generation that came out of Egypt under Moses. They heard, but they rebelled; their corpses fell in the wilderness; God swore they would not enter His rest. They could not enter the promised land — could not enter rest — because of unbelief.

Point one: Israel's failure to experience and enjoy God's rest under the old covenant is a warning against our failure under the new. That statement invites an objection: "Speculative, irrelevant! Just because Israel didn't enter thousands of years ago doesn't mean the church won't enter eternal rest." But Timothy makes the point clearly. If God, who does not change — who is immutable — dealt one way in times past, can we not conclude He will do so again?

We Don't Like Tension

The human heart doesn't like tension, anxiety, or fear. When we come to a passage like this, we want a quick resolution so we can get back onto concrete and off the place of tension. Based on the emails and conversations I had this last week, I know people don't like it. We want it resolved: "It's not possible — it can't be saying what it seems to be saying."

People who hold a presupposed position of eternal security have to find ways around these warnings, to explain them away. Do people actually do that? Yes — even some Bible teachers I deeply respect. One commentator, whom I won't name, said as we approach chapter 4 we're in a warning that began in chapter 3. True. He'd already told us Hebrews was written to Christians, to believers. True. But then he added, "However, scattered throughout Hebrews are warnings to unbelievers." Wait — didn't you just say it was written to Christians?

I highly respect this teacher, but that is what I call expositional misconduct. Look at Hebrews 3:1: "holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling." That's written to Christians. Look at 3:12–14: "Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief... for we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end." I've never met a non-Christian who was a partaker of Christ.

We Can't Disregard Warnings We Don't Like

Point two: we cannot disregard warnings just because we don't like them. I've been reading the Bible a long time, and I've come across warnings I don't like. Here's one that bothers me — James 3:1: "Let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment." I'm a teacher of the Bible. That warning may not bother you because you'll never be a teacher, but it bothers me. Still, I can't disregard it just because I don't like it.

Why not? Because Paul said all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, that the man or woman of God may be mature, thoroughly equipped for every good work. In our modern American context, many books and churches preach a constantly happy, encouraging message — and they can back it with Scripture. But in doing so, sometimes other passages get set aside. The Word of God is living, powerful, and sharp. Sometimes it cuts deep, and it hurts. But like a surgeon removing a tumor, God removes from us things that are not beneficial.

Calvinism, Arminianism, and the Tension Between

When we venture into whether a person can fail to enter the rest or is secure, we're into the discussion of Calvinism and Arminianism. Those who say the warnings aren't to Christians accuse others of cherry-picking verses while ignoring Romans 8. But the fact is, those who say, "I know it's written to Christians, but not that warning," are doing the exact same thing — cherry-picking what they like over what they don't.

I don't hold to a Calvinistic position, and I don't hold to an Arminian position, because I believe both are taught in the Bible: God is completely sovereign, and we have a responsibility. The strict Calvinist says you can't stand in the middle; the Arminian says the same. But both are taught in Scripture, so I hold a both-and position. That creates tension, and the human heart wants resolution.

Sometimes both truths appear in the very same sentence. Philippians 2: "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" — that's man's responsibility. The next breath: "for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure" — that's God's sovereignty. So there's Romans 8, and there's Hebrews 3 and 4, and there's tension. How do you work it out? I'm able to believe in a God who can resolve the tension even if I can't fully comprehend it. Just because I can't figure God out doesn't make the whole thing wrong. If my measly brain could fully figure Him out, would He really be all that great? Isaiah 55 says His ways are above our ways, His thoughts beyond our finding out.

Is There Really a Rest Waiting?

So he says, "Let us fear, lest we miss the rest He gives." That raises two questions: Is there a rest waiting for us, and how can we be sure we don't miss it? Because if there's a rest waiting, I don't want to miss that bus.

All of us long for rest. God built it into creation: six days He worked, the seventh He rested, and He commanded us to do the same. Every week we anticipate it. Monday comes — "another manic Monday." Wednesday is hump day. Friday — "thank God it's Friday." People counting down to retirement tell me, "272 days," then "110 days." (I hate to break it to you, but I've met retired people, and it doesn't seem like much rest.) We plan vacations months out and count the time. God planted that desire in us so we'd seek and long for rest.

The author writes a defense for Jewish Christians, so he goes back to the Old Testament. The gospel was preached to them as it was to us: trust God, He'll take you out of Egypt and bring you into a land of rest — just as we're told, trust God, He'll take you out of bondage to sin and bring you into rest. But the word didn't profit them, not being mixed with faith.

He quotes Psalm 95: God swore in His wrath they would not enter His rest, though the works were finished from the foundation of the world. He cites Genesis 2 — "God rested on the seventh day from all His works" — loosely, "in a certain place," without chapter and verse, because he didn't fret over references. God Himself has experienced and enjoyed rest. Israel didn't enter it, because of disobedience. Then David, in the Psalms, says "Today." And if Joshua — who succeeded Moses and brought Israel into the promised land — had given them rest, God would not afterward have spoken of another day. Therefore there remains a rest for the people of God. So yes — there really is a rest prepared for us, a place where we cease from all our labors.

Faith That Leads to Faithfulness

How can we be sure we don't come short of it? Look again at verse 2: the word didn't profit them, "not being mixed with faith." "For we who have believed do enter that rest."

Point three: the people of God take possession of the rest of God by faith in God, leading to faithfulness to God. Where did I get faithfulness? From verse 6 — those to whom it was first preached did not enter "because of disobedience." Faith and faithfulness go hand in hand. I can say I love you, but love is intangible until it produces works that demonstrate it. God said, "I have loved you with an everlasting love," yet Israel questioned His love whenever they were punished.

I was in New York right after 9/11 with a couple of pastors. We handed out prayer cards from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. I gave one to a woman shopping on 5th Avenue. She walked away, then came back with tears streaming down her face. She was of Jewish descent, and she said, "God doesn't love us anymore" — because of all the bad things that had happened. Yet God demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Words can be intangible; the demonstration must be there.

Point four: our saving faith is seen in our faithfulness. James 2:17 says, "Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." "You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe — and tremble." He illustrates with Abraham and Rahab and concludes, "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead." Where there is no faithfulness, no works resulting from faith, we have every reason to question whether there is true faith.

That's uncomfortable, because right now some of you have a person in mind — someone who once went to church with you, even shared the gospel with you, but who now shows no evidence of faith, no fruit on the tree. You've consoled yourself: "It's okay, they prayed a prayer." But Timothy says, "Let us fear lest any of you come short of this rest."

Restful Fearlessness in Jesus

There is no rest where there is fear, and no fear where there is rest. Point five: faith and faithfulness lead to restful fearlessness. Where does that certainty, that assurance, come from? It begins with faith. Jesus has a word for you today if you're restless and fearful: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).

The author's concern for these Christians was that they would leave the place of trusting in Jesus to go back to their old life. So he says: stay put. Keep your confidence in Him, and it will be seen in your life as the fruit of the Spirit comes forth. Yes, the Word cuts deep and can be painful, but sometimes God says, "This is an area I must deal with so I can bring forth fruit." Pruning is painful.

Then he reminds us: we have a great High Priest who passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God. Let us hold fast our confession, for He sympathizes with our weakness, having been tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin. Let us come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and grace in our time of need. Mercy and grace are found nowhere else. The more I walk with Jesus, the more I realize I need that every second of every day.

You say you want to be sure? Keep your trust in Jesus. What about the family member or co-worker who used to walk with Him? They need to come back to Him. Scripture says, "Make your call and election sure" — how? Stay with Jesus. There is only one way. You say that sounds narrow. It is. Jesus said the way is narrow — I didn't make it up. If you have a problem, take it up with Him; He always wins, and you may end up walking with a limp. I knew a man who said he wanted to wrestle with God like Jacob did. He's been pretty broken ever since. Not a good idea.

Closing Prayer

Lord, we need Your grace today; we can't function without it. Thank You, Jesus, that You are gracious, that You reveal Yourself as the merciful High Priest. We want to walk in steadfast assurance of Your sovereign grace, and there's only one place to have that — in You, trusting in You. Help us to trust You and follow You by faith; the faithfulness will come forth from that. Help us hold fast to our confidence, and not to disregard warnings just because we don't like them, but to trust You more today than yesterday, and more every day after.

If you find yourself in a place of restlessness today, without the assurance of Christ's work in you, He said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." The door is open — Jesus opened it by dying on the cross. Lord, we thank You for Your grace. Give us boldness not only to come before Your throne of grace, but to share that grace with others this week. We pray this in Your mighty and precious name. Amen.